Decision details

The Head of Legal and Democratic Services submitted a report calculating the political balance of the Council following the ordinary election of all Members.  She said Council, at its annual meeting, was required to approve the decision-making arrangements for the discharge of functions as set out in the recommendations now detailed. The appointment of the Leader, Councillor L Haysey was proposed, together with the composition of the portfolios of Executive Members, and those appointed to those roles. 

Councillor L Haysey proposed the recommendations, which were seconded by Councillor E Buckmaster.  Council approved the recommendations as set out in the report and in the supplementary report.

RESOLVED – that (A) the following scrutiny committee, regulatory committees and joint committees be appointed, with the number of voting Members stated: 

Committee                         Number of Members

Overview and Scrutiny                                  14

Performance, Audit and

Governance Oversight                                   7

Development Management                         12

Licensing                                                          12

Human Resources                                          7

Chief Officer Recruitment                             5

East Herts Council and

Stevenage Borough Council

Joint Revenues and Benefits                         3

Joint CCTV Executive (3 from

East Herts)                                                       12

(B) the membership of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee, the regulatory committees (Development Management and Licensing Committees) and other committees (Performance, Audit and Governance Oversight, Human Resources, Chief Officer Recruitment and East Herts Council and Stevenage Borough Council Joint Revenues and Benefits Committees) be as set out in Essential Reference Paper ‘C’ with Members being appointed in accordance with the wishes of the political group to whom the seats on these bodies have been allocated;

(C) Councillor Linda Haysey be appointed Leader of the Council for the four year term of the Council;

(D) the intention of the Leader of the Council to appoint 7 Members to the Executive (in addition to the Leader) with the portfolio responsibilities as detailed in Essential Reference Paper ‘B’, be noted;

(E) the programme of Council meetings, as detailed at paragraph 5.1 of the report, be approved;

(F) the Head of Legal and Democratic Services be authorised to make changes in the standing membership of committees and joint committees in (A) above, in accordance with the wishes of the political group to whom seats on these bodies have been allocated;

(G) Appointments of representatives to outside bodies be taken by the Head of Legal and Democratic Services, in consultation with the Leader, under delegated authority; and

(H) the Monitoring Officer be authorised to make such amendments to the Council’s Constitution as may be necessary to account for the decisions in (A) to (G) above.